فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِليُسرىٰ

We shall surely ease him into facility.

EXEGESIS

The word yusrā is the feminine version of aysar, which is in the superlative form, and comes from yusr, which literally means to saddle a horse and prepare it to be mounted. It later on came to be used for any easy act that was ready to be performed.^{‎[1]Amthal, 20/257.}

EXPOSITION

This verse describes the resultant benefit that those who give charity whilst being God-wary shall attain. Allah promises to ease them into facility. There are two plausible explanations as to what this may mean. The first is that He would grant them divine succour (tawfīq) in carrying out good deeds and it will become such that they would not find any tiredness or difficulty in carrying out virtuous actions.^{‎[2]Munyah, 30/405; Safi, 5/337.} This explanation seems to be in line with 65:4: And whoever is wary of Allah, He shall grant him ease in his affairs.

In the current context, the clearest application would be for those who initially find it very difficult to give in charity. By having firm faith and conviction in the reward of Allah they are able to get over the initial hesitancy, and by frequently giving in charity this act not only becomes easy for them but rather, they begin to find peace and pleasure in it.^{‎[3]Amthal, 20/256.}

The second possible explanation is that this a reference to paradise and thus it is a promise that they would be easily let into paradise.^{‎[4]Munyah, 30/405.} According to Tabatabai, the second explanation is more plausible based on how the Quran generally describes the outcome of good deeds.^{‎[5]Mizan, 30/303.}

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

1. It is reported from Imam al-Bāqir (a): ‘The Holy Prophet (s) was once passing by a man who was planting a seedling in his yard. The Holy Prophet (s) stopped and asked: “Should I tell you about a plantation that has stronger roots, ripens faster, and is of finer fruits?” The man said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah, tell me about it.” The Prophet (s) said: “In the mornings and evenings say: ‘Immaculate is Allah, all praise belongs to Allah, no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, and Allah is greater than can be described (subḥān allāh, wa al-ḥamdu li-llāh, wa lā ilāha ill-allāh wa allāhu akbar).’ If you say this, for each time you will have ten trees in paradise of different kinds of fruits. They are from the perpetual good deeds.”’ The Imam said that the man then said: ‘I take Allah as witness that my yard is a charitable trust (waqf), and the needy Muslims are its beneficiaries.’ Allah then revealed the verses of the Holy Quran: As for him who gives and is God-wary, and confirms the best promise, We shall surely ease him into facility [verses 5-7].^{‎[6]Kafi, 2/506.}

Note: If we accept the incident of Abū al-Daḥdāḥ mentioned at the beginning as the occasion of revelation for the whole of this chapter, or at the very least for verses 3-11 or 5-17, then we would have to say this incident is only an application of the verses.

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

1. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.^{‎[7]Psalms 112:5-9.}

[1] Amthal, 20/257.
[2] Munyah, 30/405; Safi, 5/337.
[3] Amthal, 20/256.
[4] Munyah, 30/405.
[5] Mizan, 30/303.
[6] Kafi, 2/506.
[7] Psalms 112:5-9.